florida links living fall 2012
DESCRIPTION
Florida Links Living Fall 2012TRANSCRIPT
livingliving
a supplement to LINKS Magazine
LINKSFLORIDA
A UNIQUE COLLECTION OF PRIVATE GOLF COMMUNITIES AND MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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Boca West Country Club
An unwavering commitment to extraordinaryservice and amenities has made this private residential country club one of the best in the country
Ibis Golf &Country Club
Tried and true, this Palm Beach enclave withthree Nicklaus courses offers the best of both worlds —city sophistication and convenience in a lush oasis of unexpected tranquility
Sailfish PointThis secluded sea-island community with a private harboroffers unrivaled ocean access and proximity to the best ofSouth Florida
St. Andrews Country ClubLuxurious, privileged, and exceptionally private, this eliteBoca Raton club delivers uncompromising levels of service,amenities, and lifestyle along with outstanding golf
Publisher’s LetterSense of Community
On the cover: Ibis Golf & Country Club
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t is no small feat to be named the nation’s
top private country club (nine years run-
ning nonetheless) by the Platinum Clubs of
America. But in Boca Raton, a city rich with
the world’s finest private clubs found any-
where, that numero uno ranking among the elites and
the bragging rights that come with it just might be
the most satisfying honor.
Boca West Country Club, perfectly situated on
1,400 lushly landscaped acres between West Palm
Beach and Fort Lauderdale, isn’t just one of the top-
ranked clubs in the country. With more than 8,000
residents, it is also one of the largest.
Everything is bigger than life here, from the mag-
nificent clubhouse, sports center and spa to the four
championship golf courses to the six separate dining
venues that rival the top restaurants of any major city.
And while the club’s size allows it to skillfully handle
any member function, and serve 900 for dinner in the
clubhouse, Boca West’s biggest asset isn’t its grand
scale, but its staff.
“We are in the member-pleasing business,” says Jay
DiPietro, club president and general manager. “We
understand what people want and don’t want. We
work hard at it. And we recruit and hand pick the
nicest, friendliest, most attentive people in the world
to work here.” More than 800 of those hand-picked
employees work in the club during peak season.
Boca West Country Club
ABOVE: The clubhousecan accommodate a variety of social events.OPPOSITE: The cascadingwater feature at theclub’s Aquatic Center BELOW: A waterfallserves as the backdropat the 18th green onFazio II.
An unwavering commitment to extraordinary service and amenities has made this private residential country club one of the best in the country
I
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The members appear to be well pleased. Thirty five
percent of them live here year round, a figure double or
better that of other southern Florida communities. They
love it so much that they can’t wait to tell their friends
about the place. That “word of mouth” is the main fac-
tor in selling homes. Even in lean real estate years, Boca
West will still sell an impressive 100
homes a year.
“Our members support our club
because they treasure it here,”
says DiPietro. “They are proud of
their club.”
What’s not to be proud of? The
community, the clubhouse, all the
facilities seem forever young
because everything is constantly
refreshed. Even though the club was
started in 1970, and has never had
an assessment, everything looks
brand new.
The golf experience, like every-
thing else, is first class. The four
golf courses, by Arnold Palmer, Jim Fazio and Pete
Dye, have all been rebuilt since 1997 and offer not just
great golf, but lots of it. With member tournaments
typically attracting 500 participants, multiple courses
are a necessity.
Palmer I, the first course completed here, is a true
championship golf course and often the venue used
for big tournaments. Fazio II, with its waterfalls at the
9th and 18th greens that spill over hand-sculpted
stones, is considered the most aesthetically pleasing.
When they hired Dye to design course IV, they told
ABOVE: The golf experience overall isfirst class, starting withthe lush landscaping. RIGHT: The 506-yard18th on Palmer I features a nifty “beach bunker.”FAR RIGHT: With morethan 30 courts, tennisis huge at Boca West.BELOW: The Spa lobby’s waterfall sculpture
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him they wanted a Pete Dye course that was playable.
“I’ll build you a golf course I would want to play
every day,” Dye said. And he did exactly that.
There are so many details that enhance the golf ex-
perience. Laser finders in every cart eliminate looking
for yardage on sprinkler heads, while the paspalum
turf on the Fazio and Dye courses handles the south
Florida climate beautifully and hardly ever presents a
bad lie. In addition to separate locker rooms and card
rooms for men and women, they each have their own
extensive pro shops as well.
While golf may reign supreme, tennis flourishes
here, too. More than 30 Har-Tru courts, a full sched-
ule of tournament and social events, an active junior
program, a top ten pro shop, and exhibitions by some
of the sport’s best players, keep things busy courtside.
You can’t spend any time here without discovering
that food is a very big deal at Boca West. The club has
a well-earned reputation for providing its members an
incredible dining experience. The food is so good and
so appreciated, members have no need to travel outside
the gates for gourmet dining.
DiPietro never forgot advice he received early in
his career: “Some people play golf, some people play
tennis. Everybody eats.” And eat they do. The club
serves a remarkable three quarters of a million meals
a year through its six restaurants. The menus, from
poolside casual to elegant fare in Panache,
and the venues are designed to serve
every taste.
Likewise, there are a number of op-
tions for living in this paradise. Condo-
miniums from the $100,000s to $8 mil-
lion homes in re-gated neighborhoods
are available. One of the convenient
membership perks is the ability to select
the option that suits you best on an an-
nual basis. While social membership is the mini-
mum, every year you can pick and choose what oth-
er memberships you would like, including individual
golf memberships.
Boca WestCountry Club
20583 Boca West DriveBoca Raton, Fla. 33434
561.488.6934 BocaWestCC.org
Palmer IPAR: 72 YARDAGE: 7,220
YEAR FOUNDED: 1997ARCHITECT: Arnold Palmer
FazIo IIPAR: 71 YARDAGE: 6,811
YEAR FOUNDED: 2005ARCHITECT: Jim Fazio
Palmer IIIPAR: 72 YARDAGE: 6,753
YEAR FOUNDED: 1999ARCHITECT: Arnold Palmer
Dye IVPAR: 72 YARDAGE: 6,954
YEAR FOUNDED: 2006ARCHITECT: Pete Dye
BELOW: Members canchoose from six different dining venues.
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lorida is treasured for its wildlife and
nowhere is it more abundant, or
more revered, than within Ibis Golf
& Country Club on the western out-
skirts of West Palm Beach.
Just a few miles west of I-95 and minutes from the
elegance and diversions of the Palm Beaches, this
private golf community bordered by the 12,000-acre
Grassy Waters Nature Preserve feels like an oasis of
natural beauty. From the moment you enter royal
palm-lined Ibis Boulevard, you feel a world apart.
The landscaping is lush, scenic lakes accent the
grounds, and birds—spoonbills, blue heron, sandhill
cranes, and ibis—are always in view. Nature permeates
everything. The streets are lined with trails for walk-
ing, jogging, and biking in the midst of the beauty. Ibis
has a flavor unlike any other luxurious residential
community in this desirable region of Florida.
Golf also defines the Ibis experience. This is the
only club in the world with three Nicklaus family
courses (Jack, Jack II, and Steve) and each of them is
unique. Jack’s Signature Legend course features an
Ibis Golf &Country Club
ABOVE: The sprawlingclubhouse can accommodate a variety of social events.OPPOSITE: The Legend’s159-yard 13th featuresan enticing island green.BELOW: The club takesits name from the graceful white bird thatpopulates the 1,900-acrecommunity.
Tried and true, this Palm Beach enclave with threeNicklaus courses offers the best of both worlds—city sophistication and convenience in a lush oasis of unexpected tranquility
F
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abundance of mounding. Jack II’s Heritage gives you
the benefit of generous fairways, but requires more
water carries. And Steve’s Tradition is more links
style, with undulating greens that place a premium on
your short game. Play all 54 holes and you’ll never see
the same hole twice. With two courses just recently
re-grassed, new members will reap the benefits of a
completely up-to-date experience.
What all the courses have in common, beyond the
Nicklaus stamp, outstanding layouts, and meticulous
grooming, is that the finishing holes of each course
comprise arguably the three hardest finishing holes
in Palm Beach County, which sits just fine with a
membership that loves to play golf. And play golf
they do! The Club boasts numerous member events
and playing opportunities for all skill levels, and
remarkably, close to 80 percent of spouses play.
Monthly complimentary clinics keep the active
membership engaged.
There is plenty of room for everyone. Five of the
nines begin at the clubhouse, allowing for comfort-
ably spaced starting times. The double-ended, 20-acre
practice range is generous, too, with five target greens,
complimentary range balls, and a short-game element
in each corner. It is no stretch to have 80 members
hitting balls at one time.
Heading up an instructional staff of 11 is Martin
Hall, host of Golf Channel’s popular program, School
of Golf. One the country’s premier instructors, Hall
is a veteran of the European Tour and has taught
players on the PGA Tour, Champions Tour, and LPGA
Tour, including Morgan Pressel.
While the superb quality of the golf initially draws
many to Ibis, it is the extraordinary quality of life
(what they refer to as The Ibis Experience) that makes
this multi-generational membership well satisfied.
Great pride is taken to create as many activities to
enjoy as possible. That is important, as this is a year-
round south Florida community (more than half the
members consider this their permanent home) that is
engaged and very active every season. Facilities are
open all year and there is always a lot going on,
including tennis (14 Har-Tru, HydroGrid-lighted
courts plus a bustling program), fitness, yoga, water
aerobics, card games, kids’ camps, and popular member
events held at the Mediterranean-style clubhouse.
Cultural opportunities abound thanks to the tireless
efforts of the Ibis Cultural Association. Members can
participate in acting and writing workshops, take lan-
guage and art classes, perform in musical presenta-
tions, showcase their photography, and sharpen their
cooking skills. The roster of events is diverse and full.
With more than 1,800 homesites featuring lake,
golf, or preserve views in a collection of 33 beautiful
RIGHT: For bird lovers,Ibis is filled with manyspecies, including sandhill cranes. BELOW: There are1,808 residences atIbis, including this onewith a beautiful infinitypool overlooking a lake.
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neighborhoods, there is plenty of choice
when it comes to finding the home that
suits you best. Ibis offers everything from
condos, villas, single-family homes, and
large estate homes, priced from the
$200,000s into the millions.
Their final neighborhood, with new
construction opportunities, is well under-
way. Located at the southern end of this
nearly 2,000-acre community, The Wood-
lands is a very private, tranquil enclave
almost completely surrounded by the
Grassy Waters Nature Preserve.
Ibis is an equity club owned by the
members, who are justifiably proud of
their spectacular amenities, unsurpassed
lifestyle, and well-earned reputation. The
much-awarded club was honored with
BoardRoom magazine’s Emerald Club distinction
and was recently named the Sunshine state’s 2012
Community of the Year by the Florida Communities
of Excellence Awards.
Ibis Golf &Country Club
8225 Ibis BoulevardWest Palm Beach, Fla. 33412
561.625.8500 IbisGolf.com
TRADITIONPAR: 72 YARDAGE: 7,130
YEAR FOUNDED: 2001ARCHITECT: Steve Nicklaus
HeRITAGePAR: 72 YARDAGE: 7,062
YEAR FOUNDED: 1991ARCHITECT: Jack Nicklaus II
LeGeNDPAR: 72 YARDAGE: 7,187
YEAR FOUNDED: 1991ARCHITECT: Jack Nicklaus
livingFLORIDA LINKS
Sand and water lurk everywhere on Legend’s 576-yard 8th. BELOW: The Patio Cafe is located by the heated,25-meter pool.BOTTOM: The Ibis dog parkis a popular amenityamong the members.
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003. SAILFISH POINT Sotheby’s International Realty 1648 SE Sailfish Point Blvd. Stuart, Fla. 34996 800.799.7772 SailfishPoint.com [email protected]
004. ST. ANDREWS COUNTRY CLUB 17557 Claridge Oval West Boca Raton, Fla. 33496 561.451.4900 StAndrewsCC.com
ot all oceanfront property is created
equal. Just ask the residents at Sailfish
Point, a 532-acre sea-island commu-
nity on Hutchinson Island, an hour
north of Palm Beach.
“When you see that aqua blue water it takes your
breath away, it absolutely takes your breath away,” says
resident Carolyn Wax. “Because you realize that this is
really a tropical paradise.”
Adds her husband, Ed: “I never knew this part of
Florida existed. We joke about it. We call it the un-Flori-
da because you don’t see tall buildings. You see the
ocean. It’s like being on a tropical island all the time.”
Lest you think there is a bit of hyperbole involved,
consider that this “island within an island” enjoys more
than a mile of private white-sand beach on the At-
lantic, a private deepwater harbor and perhaps the
most enviable and unique location in Florida. This is
where the Atlantic Ocean, St. Lucie Inlet and Indian
River converge to surround the island with a variety of
waters. And where the Gulf Stream keeps the waters
temperate, while onshore breezes moderate the climate.�ABOVE: The Atlantic, St. Lucie Inlet and Indian River surround the 532-acre community.BELOW: A large wastebunker and lake guardthe 520-yard 10th.OPPOSITE: The soothingsound of surf is alwayspresent during a roundon the Jack NicklausSignature course.
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PHO
TOG
RAP
HY
BY
JIM
MAN
DEV
ILLE
FALL 2012 FLORIDA LINKSliving 15
������FLORIDA LINKS
FALL 2012
ne of the most enduring
images in golf, the Swilcan Bridge
at the Old Course at St. Andrews,
evokes powerful memories.
Arnold Palmer’s farewell wave in
1995; Jack Nicklaus’s a decade later. The greats of the
game have all paused on its historic span.
The humble stone bridge is a fitting visual for the
private golf community known as the “St. Andrews of
Florida.” As you pass through St. Andrews Country
Club’s front gate, replicas of the iconic bridge wel-
come you. Lit up beautifully under the deep Florida
night sky, they set the tone of a very private commu-
nity where the golf is great and tee times are non-
existent, where everything is first class, from the food
to the staff. And where the members treasure the
collegial, family atmosphere.
They also treasure having the best of everything.
Owned by its members, St. Andrews Country Club
holds itself to uncompromising standards. The results
are rewarding. The facilities are spectacular, the staff
impeccably attentive, the food superb, and the impres-
sive state-of-the-art security second to none. All of it
delivered within the context of upscale Boca Raton,
the quintessential destination for luxurious living.
The golf at St. Andrews impresses immediately.
The marvelous landscaping around the tee boxes and
green complexes makes the Arnold Palmer Signature
and Gene Bates designs as aesthetically pleasing as
they are a joy to play. For those privileged enough to
call this home, the ability to play without ever making
a tee time is a most satisfying reward.
����� ���������������
ABOVE: The impressive125,000-square-footclubhouse is one of manyamenities for membersto enjoy.OPPOSITE: The Oldecourse boasts a gentlyrolling layout with nativeFlorida landscaping. BELOW: Spa entrance
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Go to LINKSMagazine.com for more information
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ot all oceanfront property is created
equal. Just ask the residents at Sailfish
Point, a 532-acre sea-island commu-
nity on Hutchinson Island, an hour
north of Palm Beach.
“When you see that aqua blue water it takes your
breath away, it absolutely takes your breath away,” says
resident Carolyn Wax. “Because you realize that this is
really a tropical paradise.”
Adds her husband, Ed: “I never knew this part of
Florida existed. We joke about it. We call it the un-Flori-
da because you don’t see tall buildings. You see the
ocean. It’s like being on a tropical island all the time.”
Lest you think there is a bit of hyperbole involved,
consider that this “island within an island” enjoys more
than a mile of private white-sand beach on the At-
lantic, a private deepwater harbor and perhaps the
most enviable and unique location in Florida. This is
where the Atlantic Ocean, St. Lucie Inlet and Indian
River converge to surround the island with a variety of
waters. And where the Gulf Stream keeps the waters
temperate, while onshore breezes moderate the climate.N
ABOVE: The Atlantic, St. Lucie Inlet, and Indian River surround the 532-acre community.BELOW: A large wastebunker and lake guardthe 520-yard 10th.OPPOSITE: The soothingsound of surf is alwayspresent during a roundon the Jack NicklausSignature course.
Sailfish PointThis secluded sea-island community with a privateharbor offers unrivaled ocean access and proximityto the best of South Florida
PHO
TOG
RAP
HY
BY
JIM
MAN
DEV
ILLE
FALL 2012 FLORIDA LINKSliving 15
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For those who enjoy life on the water, everything
comes together here. Homes around the harbor allow
residents to keep their boats just steps from the door.
You can just as easily travel by boat to nearby Stuart
for dinner as you can to the Bahamas, just 75 nautical
miles away. This is the only place in Florida you can
take a boat all the way across the state to the Gulf of
Mexico (about a half day trip through the Okee-
chobee Waterway).
One of the largest private marinas in Florida, the
77-slip Sailfish Point Marina and Yacht Club is also
the only place in the state where you can go from
private marina to open water in five minutes. The
marina can handle vessels up to 125 feet long.
Fishing enthusiasts know why this is called the
sailfish capital of the world. “The fishing is terrific
for gamefish,” says resident Kevin Adrian. “Sailfish are
here year round—dolphin, wahoo, cobia. The river
fishing is excellent, too. People fish right off the docks
for snook. You can go out and wade in the river.
It’s just the perfect spot.”
While the water surrounds life here, there is plenty
to keep residents busy on dry ground. Har-Tru tennis
courts maintained to professional standards, a luxuri-
ous full-service spa and salon, a fitness complex with
a pool and professional trainers—all are available for
residents and their guests.
ABOVE: The ocean-front clubhouse has
great al fresco dining. BELOW: The 372-yard
11th was part of a $6 million
restoration in 2007.
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But it is the spectacular oceanfront clubhouse with
its beachside club and lounge that is the center of
onshore activities. Residents gather here for casual
al fresco meals or more formal coat-and-tie special
occasions. It is where rounds of golf begin and end,
where friends come together for casino nights, wine
tastings and themed dinners.
In the end it is the island’s unassuming, friendly
atmosphere and its people that are the
main attraction. “Where can you go
and have the beach at your front
door? Golf, tennis, and then it’s a
community of fantastic people,” says
resident Don McCaffery. “These peo-
ple are not acquaintances, this is truly
a community.”
A community with an excellent
Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course,
where members never have to make
a tee time. Originally opened in
1981 as one of Nicklaus’ early Signa-
ture courses, every hole offers exceptional water
views, be it lake, river, inlet or ocean. The premium
location along the Atlantic means those onshore
breezes make this a subtly different course every
time you play it.
Nicklaus returned in 2007 to do an extensive
$6 million renovation to his design. The changes,
members say, made a good course great. Though
there are plenty of “wow” moments along the way,
the 18th hole makes for a fantastic finish. Known
as the “Window on the Sea,” this 443-yard par 4
has you putting out to the sounds and sights of
the ocean.
Though this is a very private,
secluded island community, connect-
ed to the mainland by a fixed-span
bridge, residents are just a 10-minute
car (or boat) ride from the restau-
rants, shopping, medical services and
small-town charm of downtown
Stuart. Palm Beach, with its leg-
endary array of attractions, activities
and adventures, is just an hour south.
Almost every home is waterfront
at Sailfish Point, but there are a
variety of ways to own, from spa-
cious estate homes and luxury oceanfront condos to
villas and townhomes with private docks. Prices
range from $500,000 to upwards of $10 million.
Seasonal rentals are also available for those who
want a taste of paradise before they call it home.
FALL 2012
ABOVE: The green of the614-yard 14th, one of thetoughest holes on thecourse, overlooks the St. Lucie Inlet.
livingFLORIDA LINKS
FLORIDA LINKSliving 17
Sailfish PointSotheby’s International Realty
1648 SE Sailfish Point BoulevardStuart, Fla. 34996800.799.7772SailfishPoint.com
PAR: 72 YARDAGE: 7,151YEAR FOUNDED: 1981
ARCHITECT: Jack Nicklaus
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FALL 2012
ne of the most enduring
images in golf, the Swilcan Bridge
at the Old Course at St. Andrews,
evokes powerful memories.
Arnold Palmer’s farewell wave in
1995; Jack Nicklaus’s a decade later. The greats of the
game have all paused on its historic span.
The humble stone bridge is a fitting visual for the
private golf community known as the “St. Andrews of
Florida.” As you pass through St. Andrews Country
Club’s front gate, replicas of the iconic bridge wel-
come you. Lit up beautifully under the deep Florida
night sky, they set the tone of a very private commu-
nity where the golf is great and tee times are non-
existent, where everything is first class, from the food
to the staff. And where the members treasure the
collegial, family atmosphere.
They also treasure having the best of everything.
Owned by its members, St. Andrews Country Club
holds itself to uncompromising standards. The results
are rewarding. The facilities are spectacular, the staff
impeccably attentive, the food superb, and the impres-
sive state-of-the-art security second to none. All of it
delivered within the context of upscale Boca Raton,
the quintessential destination for luxurious living.
The golf at St. Andrews impresses immediately.
The marvelous landscaping around the tee boxes and
green complexes makes the Arnold Palmer Signature
and Gene Bates designs as aesthetically pleasing as
they are a joy to play. For those privileged enough to
call this home, the ability to play without ever making
a tee time is a most satisfying reward.
St. AndrewsCountryClub
ABOVE: The impressive125,000-square-footclubhouse is one of manyamenities for membersto enjoy.OPPOSITE: The Oldecourse boasts a gentlyrolling layout with nativeFlorida landscaping. BELOW: Spa entrance
Luxurious, privileged, and exceptionally private, this eliteBoca Raton club delivers uncompromising levels of service,amenities, and lifestyle along with outstanding golf
O
livingFLORIDA LINKS
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Deciding which course you favor could be a life-
long—and most pleasurable—process. The Palmer, with
its pearl-white bunkers and majestic palms, is the short-
er of the two, but requires pinpoint accuracy. With
water in play on every hole, you can’t afford too many
errant shots. The Olde Course allows you to test your
mettle playing from the tips that stretch to nearly 7,000
yards, or play it forward and reap the benefits of gener-
ous landing areas and open approaches to the green.
Whichever course you play, you will need to make
sure your putting game is sharp. The TifEagle greens
are kept exceptionally groomed and firm. To keep up
RIGHT (clockwise fromleft): Lunch buffets areoffered daily as well asSunday brunches; oneof 15 clay courts; thefully equipped fitnesscenter; the new GolfPerformance CenterBELOW: The Oldecourse offers enjoymentfor golfers of all levels.
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FALL 2012 FLORIDA LINKSliving 21
to speed with their games, members have em-
braced the new Golf Performance Center. The
state-of-the-art facility features a V1 Digital
Coaching System and FlightScope Launch Moni-
tor with instant, visual feedback that shortens the
time it takes to absorb lessons and put them into
practice on the course.
Befitting the St. Andrews name, golf here has a
rich history. Bob Toski, PGA Tour
champion and legendary golf
instructor, was the club’s first
director of golf when it opened in
1983. Today, as Pro Emeritus, his
presence is still felt. A frequent and
beloved visitor, his legacy is carried
on by a former assistant and one
of Golf Digest’s America’s Best
Teachers, Glenn Hall.
While the golf is great, they are
fond of saying, “Food is king.” It
is certainly fit for royalty. The
daily lunch buffets and Sunday
brunches are feasts for the eyes as well as the
palate. From the chef’s herb garden outside the
clubhouse to the carefully selected prime steaks to
always-fresh seafood, the food here is as impres-
sive and bountiful as the venues it is served in.
Likewise, the 125,000-square-foot clubhouse
and the accompanying fitness, spa, and tennis cen-
ter. The level of luxury and personalized service
must be seen and felt to fully appreciate. None
other than Aaron Krickstein, former ATP Tour
pro, oversees a booming tennis program with 15
lighted clay courts. The extensive fitness facility
has all the latest cardio equipment equipped with
personal TV screens and more fitness trainers (30)
than any club in the area. And the spa, with a full-
service salon, master colorist, and onsite physical
therapists, is every bit as luxurious as those found
in the best resorts.
The members are, in fact, dedicated to ensuring
that St. Andrews remains at the forefront of leading
private clubs. Recognized as one of the leading Plat-
inum Clubs of America, they have also earned the
distinguished Emerald Club Award.
Members have just approved a plan
to enhance the clubhouse, pool
complex, and provide for future
improvements on the golf course.
All without raising members’
monthly dues.
The low-density community is
limited to 730 single-family homes
on its 700-plus manicured acres.
This is a place where you will nev-
er feel crowded, in the club, on the
course, or in your home. The
houses, each of them a custom
design, are magnificent and no two are alike.
A close-knit community with a genuine family
atmosphere, the affection members have for
St. Andrews (about half the families make this
their primary home) and each other translates
favorably. Most new real estate sales are referrals
from current members.
For all its privileges and all its enviable ameni-
ties, the greatest asset at St. Andrews is its staff.
“They make the difference,” says General Manager
Craig Martin, C.C.M. “Our staff is committed to
delivering service that is inspiring, attention and
care that are genuine, and making members feel
special every time.”
ABOVE: The pool pavilion and water parkconsists of a JuniorOlympic pool, Jacuzzispa, and terraced lounging areas.LEFT: St. Andrews Country Club’s residenttouring professional andhometown favorite, LPGA star Morgan Pressel
St. AndrewsCountry Club17557 Claridge Oval WestBoca Raton, Fla. 33496
561.451.4900StAndrewsCC.com
PAlmer PAR: 72 YARDAGE: 6,526
YEAR FOUNDED: 2003ARCHITECT: Arnold Palmer
OldePAR: 72/73 YARDAGE: 6,887
YEAR FOUNDED: 1995ARCHITECT: Gene Bates
livingFLORIDA LINKS
LL_FALL12_ST_ANDEWS_LINKS template 8/28/12 2:23 PM Page 21
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AS PUBLISHER OF LINKS, I’m on the road a great deal visiting clients all over the country. But there’s little doubt
where I log the most miles: Florida. From Jacksonville to Naples and from the Panhandle to the Keys, I must have
crisscrossed the state a hundred times over the years.
The one area of the Sunshine State I’ve spent more time than anywhere else, though, is the southeast corridor,
where there are so many great golf communities, like the four we feature in this latest edition of “Florida LINKS
Living.” The 100-mile stretch from Vero Beach to Boca Raton is truly a golfer’s paradise with some of the best
country club living in the U.S.
At the northern end is Sailfish Point, located at the tip of Hutchinson Island. With a mile of private beach
fronting turquoise waters, it’s one of the most evocative settings around. Throw in a Jack Nicklaus-designed course
and a deepwater harbor with the open ocean just minutes away, and it’s hard to beat.
A little farther down I-95 in West Palm is Ibis Golf & Country Club, which not only has a Jack Nicklaus
Signature course but two others as well by sons Jack II and Steve. And although you’re just minutes from the great
shops and dining of the area, the community, bordered by a 12,000-acre preserve, has a very serene environment.
Not for nothing does it take its name from the beautiful white bird common to the area; wildlife thrives there.
At the southern end right next to each other, you’ll find two more terrific options: St. Andrews Country Club and
Boca West Country Club. St. Andrews features two outstanding courses, including one designed by The King, Arnold
Palmer, as well as a world-class tennis program led by one-time top 10 player Aaron Krickstein. At Boca West, Palmer
designed not just one but two of the four courses there, while Pete Dye and Jim Fazio created the others. There are
also 33 Har-Tru tennis courts and six restaurants.
In the last 12 months, I’ve made at least half a dozen trips down to the area and I can really see a rebound in the
real estate market compared to a year or two ago. Twelve to 24 months ago there were a lot of lookers, but not a lot
of buyers. That’s definitely changed. With prices so affordable and interest rates so low, people have finally gotten off
the sidelines. I really expect prices to be higher in a year as sales gain traction, so if you’ve done your due diligence
and are ready to get in the game, too, I highly recommend you pay a visit to one of the four communities in here.
Maybe we’ll run into one another!
Sincerely,
Jack Purcell
President and Publisher
SenSe of Community
FALL 201224 FLORIDA LINKSliving
livingFLORIDALINKS
FLL_PUB_LETTER_FALL12_LINKS template 8/28/12 2:44 PM Page 24
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